Conclusion...

So for my last blog I figured that it would be appropriate to summarize and make an official conclusion of the semester. This has been a very busy semester for me. I am only taking three classes, however I work sixty hours a week so I have not had much time to myself for the last three months. It’s been just work, homework, and bed every single week and I cannot even say how excited I am that it’s all coming to a finish! Once school is out I’m planning on buying a new tv as a gift to myself! That means I will definitely be watching a lot of new movies throughout the summer!

              

  

 Overall this was actually a pretty enjoyable class. It was fun watching movies, reading about movies, and writing about movies every week. The class was very informative, I feel like I have obtained a lot more knowledge in general about film history. I enjoyed the sections of the book talking about Chaplin. It was also really awesome watching some of his films as well. I have studied a little about the actor in other classes and even saw some of his films before this class so it was nice to learn more and see more of his films. Hope everyone has a nice summer!

American History X

So I can't let this semester end without reviewing one or two of my favorite movies. For this one i will take a look at the film American History X. I have seen this movie over 5 times already and it's one of those films that i can watch once a year or so and still really enjoy it. The film is about two brothers in California taken up in the Neo-Nazi movement. The movie has some extremely graphic violence, which of course was awesome for me, being a guy.

 

The film was just very intense in general. I found myself angry at some points and really sad at others. The movie pulls your emotions in all different directions. The films follows an interesting format. throughout the film there are flashbacks which are shown in black in white. The flashbacks are all throughout the movie and they go back to important scenes, for example the brothers childhood.

After watching this film i became a big fan of Edward Norton. I felt like he did an incredible job playing his role as the bigger brother in this film. Norton seemed like the perfect actor for the part and  really made the movie in my opinion.

Summer

So one thing this class had made me think about a lot is how it's been since I've been to the cinemas! I guess i have gotten so used to having things like Netflix. It's so nice just browsing through and having so many movies available at any time. It makes me so comfortable just staying in and watching movies right at home. I will say however i do miss going out to the cinemas. it's a fun thing to do with a group of friends for a new film. So I'm hoping this summer i will be able to go out and see some movies in the theaters.
 

As much as I've bashed cheesy 3-D movies in other blogs, I would really like to see some re-makes this summer. I know Jurassic Park just came back to the theaters in 3-D, but i missed it and don't have time with finals if it is still out. That is a movie that i would have loved to see on the big screen 3-D. Same if movies like the Matrix or Saving Private Ryan were re-done. They always seem to bring back different classics so i'm sure ill see a couple good ones this summer.

Hmm how about Video Games and Movies?

So my last blog was about how movie makers sell the rights to their movies to the video game companies, who usually make some crappy rush job game from it (my own opinion of course). As i was writing that blog i started to think about the opposite in which writers are making movies based off video games. This is an interesting new genre for movies, and they usually fall into the broader genres such as horror, drama, or action based on the type of video game. I feel like this adds another aspect to the film world.

 

Just like my opinion on how video games made from movies such, i feel the same way for movies that are made based off video games. Every one that i have seen has been cheesy and usually low budget. Video games are sweet, and movies are also very sweet, however the mixture of them together just does not seem to come out very well. I do have to say that one of my favorite game series is Halo, and i have constantly been hearing about a movie being made for it. Despite what i said and my opinion i am extremely excited to see Halo the movie when it finally comes out. I hope maybe that film will change my opinion.

Movies and Video Games

So this is a topic that i have not heard much about. Video games have exp loaded in popularity within the last couple decades. This has also added another element to television and movies. Most popular movies have a video game made around the same time as the film. I specifically remember when the video game for the second Lord of the Rings came out before the film did. The video game had clips from the movie throughout the game that were approved for the game and it was exciting playing through the game before the movie came out and seeing all these clips.

 

I would say that i am a video game fan as much as i am a television fan. My personal opinion however is that most games made from a movie or show are terrible. There has not been many games based off movies or shows that i really liked. Most of them are cheesy and it seems like the movie makers are just trying to get as much as they possibly can from the film including selling the video game rights. I don't really like to end on a negative note as i have many times before, so i will say that one game that i really liked was the Simpsons game on Xbox360. I love adventure type games and i was laughing as i was playing the whole game with the funny character quotes throughout.

Better Off Ted

So as the semester is winding down ism feeling really overwhelmed and i seem to have trouble coming up with blogging topics. I decided to talk a little about this show that is new to me. It's called Better Off Ted and i started watching it about three weeks ago or so. I halfway through season 2 and  i have to say i am really liking this show. The show centers around a number of different characters and their experiences working at a research and development department at the company Veridian Dynamics. The show is completely fictional, from the characters to the company in the show. What i would call the main character, Ted, narrates the show as he acts. He will at certain points address the camera, which is usually a funny moment.

 

Right after i started the show i instantly started to get attached and interested in the characters. So far in the show there hasn't really been much character development compared to shows like the Walking Dead or Sons of Anarchy, however in a way it makes the show easy and relaxing to watch. I can expect the same funny attitudes, while there are always new things going on with every episode. It's one of those shows i like to watch after a long day where i don't have to think much or try to keep up with the show. As much as a i love shows like Sons of Anarchy, you have to keep up with and it can sometimes be work. I'm sure other people can relate. Well i'm about to put on and episode of Better Off Ted and get some sleep, peace

The Walking Dead

Ahh what is going on in this show?? I instantly jumped right into this show. the first episode caught my attention right away and has kept it throughout the episodes. The plot line is basically that the zombie virus has gotten out of control and the world is completely different. Man has lost control and are put into the survival mindset as they struggle to keep their group together and find food and shelter. I fell in love with the characters and their progression as new challenges constantly come up to the group of survivors. I stopped watching halfway into Season 3 because i got so busy with work and school this semester, however i really want to get back into this show.


I was honestly reminded of this show because i read another class members blog talking about it. This has been an amazing series so far in my opinion. The blood and gore and violent zombie action really drew me into the show. Right from the start the characters were blowing zombie heads off. I feel like there is a really solid story line as well. Every time i watched an episode i could not wait to see what happens in the next one. I started watching the show with my sister and brother-in-law and we would stay up late nights on end chasing episode after episode. Once school slows down i am going to get right back into this show and i cannot wait!

2000's TV Structure

So one thing that i really noticed in the last decade or so is the structure behind many popular television shows. Like we read in our book there are many different types of genres. Throughout time the genres usually follow the same structure. We had a lot of examples in our book of how directors would make different films, but the genres always followed a similar structure even though it may even be different stories or characters. This structure for television shows is something that i have noticed different trends in.

 

One popular television structures right now is reality tv. Shows like this have been around for some time now and have proved to be successful. We have shows for home improvement (Extreme Makeover: Home Edition), young parents (16 and Pregnant), and even drama (Jersey Shore). These shows, even while all about different topics, all follow a similar structure. Another type of show that is really popular right now is the talent show, at least that's what i call it. By this i mean shows like American Idol or America's Got Talent. I see so many of these shows, and apparently they are popular because more and more keep popping up.



I would also like to use this space to say that the new Batman films that have been coming out the last couple years, not a big fan. I didn't want to waste a whole blog talking about this because it's not that important, however i am just not that entertained by the new films. they bore me to be completely honest and it annoys me how much people obsess over them. Not to leave on such a negative tone, but i'm out!

Netflix

So i never actually signed up for Netflix until this year. I watched as Netflix started by mailing dvd's to your house, and then evolve into watching a large selection of television shows and movies online and even through gaming systems like Playstation 3 or the Xbox 360. This company has definitely done an awesome job innovating among all the new technology we now have. As technology evolves Netflix also evolves to keep up with it. It's so convenient just throwing the tv on and powering up my xbox and having such a large collection of television shows and movies available.




I jumped right into Netflix and over last summer spent many afternoons with my face buried in my computer watching season upon season of different tv shows. I jumped into it so quickly that Netflix is something i really take for granted. There is so much available through Netflix's website it's amazing they seem to have everything. I find myself jumping around between tv show binges, there are so many different genres of movies/tv shows its crazy. Sometimes i'll feel like watching a relaxing documentary and then i'll jump to a new action movie and then jump to standup comedians. I wouldn't know what to do without Netflix!

6 Days to Air

So I'm sitting here thinking what to write for my blog entry and i have complete writers block. i have no idea what to write about. Then i just got this image in my head of Trey Parker and Matt Stone sitting in the writers room at their office brainstorming ideas for the new south park episode airing in 6 days. That's how the South Park creators/writers feel every week, to a much higher extent. The amount of stress is much less for my blog compared to preparing a 30 minute television show in a week. Parker and Stone do most episodes in a week, sometimes even more. For the Obama vs McCain election Parker and Stone created two episodes to air right after, one with Obama as president, and the other with McCain as president.


It is amazing how the writers can make episodes so quickly. from brainstorming ideas at the drawing board to animation to recording the characters voices and putting it all together is done every week for a season. The writers normally don't write their episodes ahead of time, which is completely different then most other shows on television. I have seen every episode of this show and it is crazy how much stuff gets packed into each show with such a short time.

Louis C.K.

So one of my favorite stand up comedian right now is Louis C.K. I've seen every stand up show that he has available right now, and have seen most of them multiple times. His sense of humor really gets me going because i have the same attitude towards certain issues in our society. I can't stand cocky people who are full of themselves, so i am attracted to many comedians because they make fun of themselves and have nothing to prove. It just seems humble when someone can get on stage and point out and laugh about all of their own flaws.

 

Louis C.K. also has a show called "Louie" which i've been watching lately. The show includes a couple minutes of stand up throughout which reminded me of Jerry Seinfeld in his show. The shows follows Louis's life (fictional situations) and really reminded me of Larry David's show Curb Your Enthusiasm in regards to the layout of the show. The show is much dirtier then Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld's shows, and i think its completely hilarious. Louis's sense of humor and even outlook on life can be seen in the show, which is exactly the same all throughout his stand up routines. One thing that i noticed just from watching a couple episodes that relates to another post that i made was that Louis made jokes about killing children, raping children, and stereotypes on black people just in the first couple episodes. Offensive material is what makes stand up comedians what they are!

Wall E

So I just watched this film the other night and it was really interesting. Basically the story line was the world became so polluted with trash so all the humans boarded a ship and vacationed for what was only expected to be a couple years so robots and machines could clean up. The clean up mission failed so the humans stayed in space for over 700 years. During this time the humans didn’t do anything and all got really fat and just floated around on these hovercraft-like beds. I know this sounds absolutely crazy but the movie played along really slow so all of this wasn’t thrown at you at once.

 

I felt like the movie could have even been prophetic in a way. The people in the film relied on more and more technology that they lost touch with reality to the point where the captain of the ship could not wait to get back to earth so he could grow a pizza tree. We should really be aware of how much we rely on technology in today’s day and age. I know some people that can’t drive anywhere without the help of a GPS navigator to tell them where to turn. Maybe they’ll come out with cars that drive us around next, that would be nice.

Documentaries

One genre of film that I haven’t spent any time really talking about on the blogs or discussion boards is the documentary. As much as I love dumb comedies and violence/action in the movies I watch, I also love to watch documentaries. You can learn so much about different topics by watching these. One documentary show that I enjoy is Gangland which, as the name suggests, is all about different gangs. The show gets into details about how the gangs operate and the activities that the gang is involved with. 

I also love documentaries about historical events. I’ve seen different documentaries on the Civil War, World War II, and even Lewis and Clark expedition. Normally I don’t like sitting through class (who does), however watching a documentary is a fun way for me to take in a lot of information. I’ve never really had trouble paying attention watching these. Another interesting one that I watched last year was called “Super Size Me” which opened my eyes to what we are eating at fast-food. As interesting as it was I still eat fast-food all the time ha.

1990's

I have to say that my favorite decade of movies come from the 90's. Jim Carrey was absolutely hilarious back then with films like Liar Liar, Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura, and the Cable Guy. all of Carrey's movies that i've seen lately have been terrible to what i consider his own personal golden age in the 90's. Or another actor i really loved was Adam Sandler. in my opinion all of his best films were in the 90's such as the Waterboy, Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, and big daddy. In addition to some of the actors i really liked, some of my favorite movies came straight from the 90's. American History X and the Matrix are in my top 5 favorite movies of all time and both of those films came from the 90s.

 

Shortly after the 90's my favorite actor Denzel Washington came out with some of his best movies in my opinion. I created an entire blog just on Washington so he is really an actor that i enjoy.



In the three years from 1999 to 2002 Denzel just came out with 6 back to back incredible movies that made him a movie legend to me. In order the films are the Bone Collector, The Hurricane, Remember the Titans, Training Day, John Q, and Antwone Fisher. All the movies i mentioned in this blog are classics to me and i will always save my collection of them!

Trashy Movies

 

It seems like many of the movies that Hollywood is pumping out these days are garbage, especially compared the first Golden Age discussed that we read about in our book. It seemed like films during that time had substance and were breaking through all these different barriers in regards to new film technology and styles. I feel like now we have so many special affects, which are an awesome thing, however it seems as if movie makers will throw fancy graphics in exchange for a well sculpted plot. I have just seen soo many advertisements for all of these really cheesy looking films. Another thing i noticed throughout the years is how writers keep making sequels when there shouldn't be one. it seems like they just want to drain absolutely every dollar they can from one movie line. It always seem like every sequel gets worse and worse. finally another factor behind my opinion is the actors/actresses themselves. Many of the actors/actresses i liked over the last decade are just starting to get old, and it seems like many of them are just making stupid movies to keep their face out there. I don't want to be slamming special affects in itself because i saw Avitar in Imax 3D and it was an amazing experience, and an amazing story. It's just when special affects are thrown in to make up for others things that i get upset. I hope to see more films with substance, and i am always keeping my eyes open. I have also started to stay on the search for new actors that i like because they won't be around forever.

Trailer Park Boys

So i started getting into this show within the last couple weeks and it is hilarious! I actually took a break from watching it to write this. The show is about life in the trailer park and centers around three friends Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles. Ricky and Julian seem to end up in jail at the end of each season I've seen so far, and every new season starts with them getting out. A really funny character is the trailer park's supervisor Lahey and his assistant Randy. Lahey just drives around thinking he's a cop and has all this authority, and his assistant Randy is a kiss-ass and he never wears a shirt. this show has a relaxing feel to it with real soft music playing along to the opening credits, but is still full of dysfunctional funny situations. Everyone in this show just drinks all day long and shoots off guns for random things like dogs barking too loud, i guess it could be considered white trash or redneck humor. For example Ricky lives in a car and Bubbles lives in a shed. Every time i watch this show i seem to find something that I'm able to think back about all next day and laugh about.

 

 It's stupid shows like these that help make me laugh after a long day of work and homework.

South Park 2013

Ah I can't wait for this fall for my favorite show to start up again! I have seen every episode of South Park at least twice. All the old seasons I've probably watched about five times. Trey Parker and Matt Stone have my exact sense of humor, and i mostly love how they will make fun of anyone and they just don't care. Kind of like how i mentioned in my last post about how stand-up comedians can say whatever they want and get away with it, I feel like Parker and Stone have really perfected that in comedy. South Park has made fun of so many different groups of people and celebrities and are still going with it. Parker and Stone have really pushed and pushed the boundaries of what is allowed. During the 1999 Oscars Parker and Stone dressed up as Jennifer Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow high on Acid! That is just completely hilarious and describes the attitude of South Park.




Parker and Stone did have trouble with one episode that caused a lot of attention. South Park's episode "201" poked fun at the Muslim prophet Muhammad. Muslim extremist threatened Parker, Stone, and the network so the show was not shown in any repeats and is not available anywhere. I could just see Parker and Stone writing this episode being like there's no way we'll get away with this one haha. Well anyways I can't wait for season 17 of South Park this fall!

Tracy Morgan

So there was an episode in 30 Rock where Tracy Morgans character, Tracy Jordan, made some gay jokes in one of his standup acts, which resulted in an attack from the militant gay groups. This is also something that has happened in real life with one of Tracy Morgans stand up comedy shows. In real life many stars put down Morgan because of this and the media make a huge deal about the whole situation making Morgan look like some kind of monster. I always was very drawn into stand up comedy because it always seemed like comedians could get up on stage and say whatever they wanted. I heard stand up comedians make fun of 9/11, killing and raping children and women, and every religion you can think of. And are those comedians having to come out after every show with an apology? I have to say i was upset over the whole thing.




I am not trying to come across as a gay-basher in any way at all so don't misunderstand me, but it pisses me off when Morgan says two or three jokes about homosexuals and is crucified over it when other comedians say sooo much worse and its fine. I don't feel like it is more dangerous for gay people living in today's world than any other group of people. Christians and Jews are probably the most persecuted groups of people and almost every comedian i've heard poked fun at both groups with no major consequences. A close friend of mine goes to see stand up comedians all the time, and he sits right in the front row knowing full well that he is going to be dumped on and he rolls with the punches. you can't get offended by stand up comedians, and if you are maybe that form of comedy is not for you, but C'mon people lets not ruin the sacred art of stand up comedy for the rest of us!!

Denzel Washington

So i figured i would use some of my blogging time to give respect to my favorite actor, Denzel Washington. Some of the first movies that I saw with Denzel Washington that made me love him were Remember the Titans, John Q, and Antwone Fisher (all three of these movies are still part of my favorites). Then I saw Training Day (One of my favorite movies of all time hence the main picture) and was crazy of Washington's acting roles. The more films i saw with Washington the more I felt loyal and just wanted to watch all his films. Some of his overall favorites, besides what i mentioned before include He Got Game, Man on Fire, American Gangster,  Book of Eli, and Safe House.



The other day I looked up Denzel Washington to see any new films he was in and saw that he is almost 60!! wow compared to athletes who are done after a couple decades, these actors keep going. I realized that I don't keep up with movies as well as i used to as a teenage when i had nothing else to do ha, but i should start keeping my eye out for new actors that i like. I just hope Denzel Washington doesn't sell out at the end for cheesy movies. In my eyes that looks like Sean Connery in the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Even though i liked the movie, still a very cheesy movie for a talented actor like Connery.

Cartoons

So there are many TV shows and genres that i enjoy, but i would have to say that my favorite genre is adult cartoons! Some of the shows that i really like are American Dad, the Simpsons, South Park, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force. In a broader sense i guess i would say that comedy is my favorite genre for TV because i love shows like 30 Rock or Curb Your Enthusiasm. Specifically cartoons are my favorite hands down. Its comforting for me watching cartoons, which probably goes back to my childhood. I always watched cartoons as a kid, and would even wake up every weekend all excited for the Saturday morning cartoons (anyone remember those??). I was never allowed to watch shows like the Simpsons when i was younger so of course i obsessed over them and i have been loving them ever since. Honestly one of my favorite things to do is to put on an episode of the Simpsons to fall asleep to.










I never did any blogging until i started taking Professor Bjorn's online classes, but i have to say this is really fun being able to babble on about film related material that is of interest to me (with the hope that people are actually reading them!). I remember reading in our book about the Disney's first big cartoon success with the film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." I like to go back and look at how certain types of film originated, and most importantly to me what those types of films have paved the way for and given us now.

Sound

So i have been thinking about chapter 6 over the weekend. I find it so interesting reading about how certain aspects of film were created, and how it compares to what we have today. That seems to be my mindset as I'm reading through the chapters. In regards to chapter 6 its wild how cinemas during the silent film era actually had live musicians playing to accompany the film, which sometimes would consist of a 75-piece orchestra!


And then Edison had his kinetophone, which did not work well at all, inspired progress to what we have now. I have to say i love being in a theater for a nice action/war movie and the whole theater is shaking from the speakers, however it would be so cool to go back in time and experience a film with live musicians playing.

Another part of this chapter that was new to me was finding out AT&T was responsible for fixing the technical flaws in film sound. I mentioned this as well in the discussion board for last week, but i just found it funny because i just switched my phone plan to AT&T the week i read that!

30 Rock

So i'm sitting here buried in hw, and my mind started to drift to my relax time later on once hw is all done for the night. Lately this one hour relax time before bed consists of a big bowl of ice cream and sitting back and watching a tv show. One that i have been following recently (and yes will definitely be the one i stuff my face with ice cream to tonight) is 30 Rock.


This show is about a fictional tv show called the 'Tracey Jordan Show.' It's interesting because all the actors have to play actors. Most of the scenes in the show are filmed right in the Tracey Jordan Show's studio and set. It got me thinking back to Charlie Chaplin and how he always acted as another person while in films. ah if he could only see how we have evolved! look back at his films, and then back to the complexity of films/tv shows that we have now-a-days such as this one. I have to say thank you Charlie for being such an influential and important part of laying the foundation for what I now enjoy during my short relaxation times!

Sons of Anarchy

So the last couple months I have been addicted to the show Sons of Anarchy!!

















I wanted to start my first blog on something that really excites me. It took me three attempts to really get into this show, and then i was hooked. The show doesn't play out like any other show I've watched. As much as i hate to say it, the show follows this 'soap opera' kind of layout (Does anyone else feel this way?), however has plenty of action and gruesome violence that keeps me going with it. I'm going through the latest (season 5) now and I'm on the edge of my seat. My favorite character is Opi because of how humble he is and how he always just does what has to be done. I would love to hear what other fans or critics think of this show!